OhNo!SuperMarioRunRequiresAnAlways-OnInternetConnection

One of the most anticipated new games every to launch on iOS has a little dirty secret that has finally be revealed. Super Mario Run requires an always-on internet connection to play, according to Mashable.

Source: Nintendo

Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto cites security and gameplay as the reasons a persistent internet connection is necessary. He notes:

We wanted to be able to leverage that network connection with all three of the [Super Mario Run] modes to keep all of the modes functioning together and offering the game in a way that keeps the software secure. This is something that we want to continue to work on as we continue to develop the game.

By security, Miyamoto means the risk of privacy:

But actually, the security element is one of the reasons that we decided to go with iPhone and iOS first. So this is just — based on the current development environment — a requirement that’s been built into the game to support security and the fact that the three different modes are connecting to the network and interacting with one another.

According to AppleInsider, Super Mario Run requires 75 MB of data per hour of “constant, involved” play after the initial download, or less.

First announced at Apple’s iPhone 7 event in September, this is the first Super Mario game for iOS and mobile. It features three game modes: World Tour (where the player must travel through various environments to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser), Toad Rally (where the player plays against friends and people from around the world), and Kingdom Builder (where the player can build a Mario kingdom by gathering coins and toads).